Public education policy may not be at the forefront of California’s upcoming gubernatorial race, but the numerous candidates offer vastly different educational agendas, from free college to heightened teacher accountability and more.
There is one issue that all of the top candidates can agree on, however: state test scores are concerningly low. Last year, only 49% of California students met proficiency standards in English, with 37.3% in math and 32.7% in science. Raising test scores across the board remains a top priority for nearly every candidate’s education policy.
However, the topic of funding remains split along partisan lines. Many Democrats have proposed greater funding for schools through increased taxes on billionaires and corporations, while the two Republican candidates argue that schools don’t need more funding and should cut “unnecessary” spending. Each of the top four candidates share a more specific vision for education.
Former congressmember and lawyer Katie Porter hopes to pave the way to a debt-free bachelor’s degree for all California residents. Her vision includes two free years at community college through the California College Promise Grant and two tuition-free years at a UC or CSU through increased corporate taxes.
“When we invest in our students, we are not just giving them a diploma—we are giving them the ability to stay, work, and innovate right here in California,” states Porter’s campaign page.
Billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer wants to pump more money into California public schools and raise teacher pay through increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy. Steyer also wants to expand access to free education and year-round school meals, from preschool to higher education.
“Through cutting corporate tax loopholes, California can easily provide universal education starting at three years old, all the way through to free community college,” said Steyer in a mission statement. “Any Californian can receive a great, free education from walking through the doors in pre-K, to walking the stage at graduation.”
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, California attorney general, and representative Xavier Becerra holds more than just a packed resume. Becerra has explained that he would push for more affordable early education and changes to teacher compensation to pay the most experienced teachers what they deserve. Becerra is also a champion of immigrant rights. As attorney general, he helped to develop policies to protect the rights of undocumented students and their families in public schools.
“Every student, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to feel safe and secure at school,” said Beccerra in a 2018 press release.
Conservative political commentator Steve Hilton, one of the only Republican candidates, prioritizes holding teachers accountable for student performance by “rewarding the best and firing the worst.” He also plans to give parents more power to initiate reforms in schools, hoping to tackle reading deficiencies and curriculum that “indoctrinates” through supposed political and bureaucratic influence.
“The failure of our government-run schools is an outrageous scandal that we cannot tolerate any longer,” states Hilton’s campaign page. “I will not let the teacher unions, or anyone else, stand in the way of reaching a target that is surely the most basic expectation of a school system: that 100% of students meet basic standards.”
While the future of public education policy may remain uncertain, eligible voters must show up this June and November to vote for California’s next governor. Your vote counts, so make sure you use it!